Illuminated screen



March 21, 1939. w. SCHWARTZ ET AL 2,151,236

ILLUMINATED SCREEN Filed April 8, 1937 INVENTORS W/LL/AM .SCHWARTZ BY MUR/ SC/IWARZ ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ILLUMINATED SCREEN William Schwartz and Muray Schwartz, New York, N. Y., assignors of one-third to Francis J. Wallcnbcrger, Buflalo, N. Y.

Application April 8, 1937, Serial No. 135,653

4 Claims.

types of screens, or sighs, which when illunni-' nated according to some predetermined pattern reproduce the latter. Such past screens, or signs, have usually employed incandescent lamps 10 adapted to be energized by relatively compli cated electrical.contrcl circuits; they have, also, been constructed=bf expansive and complex lenses when the pattern to be reproduced is projected on the screen. Finally, illuminated screens, or signs, have been employed in the past which use Iens assemblies in fixed and unchangeable patterns; such signs being of little value where continuously changir1g illuminated patterns are desired. For color, or half-tcne, eflects, these prier 20 'devices require special and uneccnomical equipment.

Accordingly, it may be stated to be one of the primary objects of our present invention to pro- Vide a screen, or sign, device constructed and ar- 25 ranged to reproduce any desired illuminated pattern, whether in black and white or half-tcne or color eifects; and the screen essentially comprising a plurality of vertically and horizontally aligned light transmitting and concentrating 30 elements which! cooperate to reproduce in a -bright ly illuminated fashicn a. desired pattern when light rays from an illuminated pattern fall on the screen elements.

Another important object of our invention is to provide a novel method of reproducing a desired pattern, which method includes the steps of illuminating the pattern, then permitting the light rays from the illuminated pattern to fall on a plurality of spaced elements capable of 40 transmitting and ccncentrating the light rays in such a manner that the pattern is brilliantly reproduced by those of the spaced elements illuminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide 45 a screen, or sign, device constructed of a plurality of spaced light Concentration elements; the elements being arranged in a bank of vertically and horizntally aligned ro-ws whereby light rays falling on the elements in any predetermined pat 50 tern cause the reproduction of the pattern on the screen.

Still another objectg-of the invention may be stated t0 reside in the provision of a screen device capable of reproducing thereon still. or animated, images of letters, words, sentences or pictures; and the screen being essentially constructed of a plurality of spaced globular light concentration elements arranged in vertically and horizontally aligned rows; and the globular elements being mintained fixedly in spaced posi- 5 tion by being secured between a pair of rigid plates which are perforated to receive the globular elements.

Yet other objects of the invention are to improve generally the image reproduction efficiency of illuminated screens, and more especially to provide muIti-globular screens, or siens, which are readily and easily manufactured and assembled.

The novel features which we believe to be charactristic of our invention are set forth in particularity in the appended claims; the invention itseli, however, as to both its organization and method of operation will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the drawing in which we have indicated diagrammatically several constructions whereby our invention may be carried into eiect.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a projection system emboding a screen constructed according to our invention;

a portion of the screen being cut away,

Fig. 2 is a detail view of a corner of the screen,

Fig. 3 is a section talken along lime 3-3 01' Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 3, showing a modified screen construction,

Fig. 5 shows a modified form of globular light concentration element,

Fig. 6 shows another form of globular element,

Fig. 7 schematically represents a mcdified projection system employing the screen of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing. wherein like reference characters in the difierent figures designate similar constructional elements, the projection system of Fig. 1 generally comprises a projector I and a screen 2. The projector, entirely conventional in construction, wlll comprise a source of light 3; a film 4, either positive or negative; and the optical elements 5. To

, preserve simplicity of disclosure, and also bc cause the more complex types of projectors are fully known, the projector I is shown simply as employing a slide 4 with the letter L. The screen 2.'in general, comprises a pair of parallel rigid plates 5 and 1 fixedly secured at the edges there-. of to woodcn bars 8; bolts 9 beig used for this purpose. Each plate is provided with a plurality of circular apertures 10; the latter being arranged in vertical, horizontal and diagonal rows. It will be further observed that the apertures. or perforations, in each plate are in staggered relation as far as the successive rows are concerned. Between each pair of opposed apertures is disposed a globular element Il. For example, the element Il may be a glass sphere, or bail. Since the apertures Il) of one plate are in registration with those of the other plate, the globular elements Il will be arranged in vertical, horizontal and diagonal alignment when clamped in position between the rigid plates. In Fig. 3 is shown the speciflc manner in which each glass sphere Il is fixedly positioned between a pair of opposed apertures Il). It will be seen that a relatively small space separates each pair of successive spheres, and that on either face of plates 6 and I there is visible 8. portion of the surface of a sphere. In order to positively and securely maintain the spheres Il in immovable position between the opposed rigid plates 6 and .I, bolts 9 may be employed at predetermined points of the plates such that maximum compression on the spheres is secured; in Fig. 1 the bolts 9 are indicated as being freely spaced, but it will be understood that the number of -bolts' to be used will depend on the number of spheres per unit area of supporting plates.

The cut away section of the screen 2 in Fig. 1 shows the spaced appearance of the locking plates when the spheres are in place. It will be seen that the spheres Il project somewhat beyond each exposed face et plates 5 and I. Fig. 1 does not show all the spheres, but it will be understood that each pair of opposed apertures actually has a sphere therebetween. To prevent unnecessary complication of drawing, only the outer margin spheres are shown, and those spheres illuminated by the light rays I2 are shown at the central section of the screen. It is to be understood that the area between the marginal spheres and illuminated spheres is also provided wlth spheres; the dotted cross marks in this intermediate area designate points at which the additional spheres are located.

Considering Figs. 2 and 3 in detall, it will be seen that the diameter of each aperture III is less than the diameter of a sphere I I. The diameter of an aperture I0 will depend on the area of sphere to be exposed on each face of the 10cl:- ing plates. Again, the sphere sizes, and spacing between spheres, will depend on th size of screen and the degree 01 image detail desired. Obviously, for moving pictures, or a.nimated cartoons, detail is required to a much greater extent than for words; hence in the former case,

the spheres Il will be smaller in diameter'and closely spaced so as to provide.more light points per screen area.

The locking plates may be of any rigid material, for example, steel, brass, copper, sheet tin, in fact, any.rigid material which can be punched, or bored, to provide the apertures II), and can be subjected to the clamping action of spaced bolts 9. O1 course, the exposed faces of plates 6 and I are coated with a black coating so that minimum reflection of light thereirom occurs. The lockinE. plates need not have the perforations in a rectangular pattern; they may be in any other geometric configuration so that the spheres will be arranged accordingly. In this way the area. to be illuminated may assume a rectangular, circular, elliptical, or any other shape.

The globular elements Il. described above as glass spheies, may assume diilerent shapes. For

exemple, in Fig. 5 is shown an ellipsoidal element Il which may be' used in place of the glass sphere. Fig. 6 shows a complex element Il" which may be subStituted for the sphere. The element Il" has a semi-spherical section 20 upon which the light rays fall; the viewing, or forward, section 2l is substantially parabolic. In Fig. 5, of course, the rear and iorward sections are tapered. While these shapes are preferred, it is possible to use light concentrating globules of still other configurations. The viewing. or forward, section of the globule should be capable cf condensing, or concentrating, the light falling thereon so that the viewing section acts ideally as a light point source.

While glass has been specified as the material for the globules Il, it is to be understood that other light transmitting materials may be employed. Forexample, quartz, or other naturally occurring minerais, may be utilized. Again, synthetic resins, or phenol condensation products, which are capable of efiiciently transmitting light, may be used. If desired, the globules may be colored so that light transmitted by them will have diflerent colors.

The locking plates 6 and 1 may assume the constructional form shown in Fig. 4. In this case each plate is origin;lly punched out so that the apertures thereof have an outward taper. As shown in Fig. 4, each plate 6' and I has its apertures provided with an inclined wall Il). Each sphere Il will, in that case, be snugly seated between the inwardly tapered walis or each pair of opposed apertures. The inner faces of the sheets 8 and I will be in contact at the sections 1' between apertures. When securely bolted together, this type ofplate construction acts as if there were one plate with the sphres maintained in position by opposed tapered rings.

In operation, the screen 2 is viewed by looking at face Il. In Fig. 1 is shown the reproduction of the latter L on the screen. The light rays l2 falling on the rear face 1 illuminate certain of the globules Il. These globules act to concentrate the light; when viewed irom face 6 each acts as a light point source. The illuminated globules, shown in Fig. 1 as in the L shaped area, reproduce an extremely brilliant image of the pattern or object 4' on film 4. When viewed closely in illuminated condition, it is seen that each globule Il is providing a bright source of light; depending on the size of the globule the light will varyin brilliance. For small spheres Il, or by employing globules of the type shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the globules will provide point sources of' light. Of course, a large size screen will be capable of reproducing many words arranged in sentence form. The spheres Il which are not illuminated by light ray I2, appear darl: when viewed from the face 6.

A negative film, or slide, 4 is pre1erred, because the images are then brilliantly reproduced on a dark background. For still" reproduction (pictures or reading material) any desired type oi negative slide or film may be used. For animated reproduction, black and White cartoons aire highly suitable; although colored efl'ects are satisiactorily reproduced by this screen. In the case of animated cartoons, or other moving picture film, negative film will be used, because in that way the figures will. appear Iight, as they should be, on a dark background. It is to be understood that any type of film can be used l'or projection on the screen, and that the screen images may be viewed in daylight, or in the dark as at night or in a darkened room.

The present screen, and its associated projection 'system, is capable of a multitude of uses. Advertising on buildingfronts, in store windows, on roadways; in fact, any location where the attention of the passerby can be attracted. The advertising material can be animated or still; the inaterial can be ofthe motion picture type. As pointed out above, in case of images requiring detail the spheres I I will be of smaller diameter and be spaced closely together. The screen is not only easy to use, and highly attractive in appearance, but is assembled with facility. To assemble a screen of this type it is only neces- .sary to distribute thespheres Il over the inner face of one of the locking plates; the companion plate is then positioned over the spheres to register each sphere and its companion apertures. The bolts 9 are tightened along the. frame, and over the plate 6. The screen is ready for use. It is to be clearly understood thatthe screen area is subject to a wide variation; the number of spheres per unit area will depend on the detail desired. The circumstances of use will determine the type of film to use, and the spacing between plate 1 and the projector.

The invention may be used for image reproduction without a projector. For example, the film 4" may be placed adjacent rear plate 1, as shown in Fig. 7. The light will issue from a strong light source 3ll; any well known parabolc reflect0r 31 may be used in such case to concentrate the light on the film 4". Only the spheres Il, illuminated by the light passing through the transparent portion of film 4", are shown in Fig. 7. It is to be understood that the remaining globular elements are dark; they are not shown to preserve simplicity of disclosure. It will be understood that the screen in Fig. 7 will be constructed as shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 4; the

film 4" may be moved relative to the exposed face of plate 1 by any desired mechanism. There will be conveyed in that case, as well as in Fig. 1, the impression of brilliantly glowing images moving across the screen face.

The term pattern is employed inthis application to cover any letters, words ci pictures which may be desired for reproduction of the screen 2.

While We have indicated and described several constructions for carrying our invention into efect, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that our invention is'by no means limited to the particular constructions shown and described, but that many modifications may be made without departing from the scope of our invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim 15: 1. In an illuminated screen, 9. paire! spaced parallel figid plates, each plate being opaque and provided with a plurality of apertures arranged in vertical, horizontal and diagonal alignment, a transparent light concentration element of relatively small size positioned in registration between each pair of opposed apertures of said plates, the opaque area of the plate being sufficiently large to permit the opaque area sur rounding the exposed surface of each elementto function as a light mask, and means for compressing said elements between said plates whereby light can pass from one face of the screen to the other solely through said elements.

2. In an illuminated screen, a pair of spaced parallel plates, each plate being opaque and provided with a plurality of apertures arranged in vertical, horizontal and diagonal alignment, a light concentration element positioned in registration between each pair of opposed apertures of said plates, means operatively associatedwith the plates for compressing said elements between said plates, and each element being a glass sphere cf relatively small diameter, the opaque area of at least one plate being large compared to the entire plate area whereby the opaque area surrounding the exposed surface of each glass sphere acts as a light mask.

3. In an illuminated screen, .an opaque rigid plate having a plurality of apertures arranged in vertical, horizontal and diagonal alignment, a glass bal] of relatively small diameter fixedly secured in 'each aperture having surfaces exposed on each face of the plate, the opaque area of the plate surrounding the exposed surface of each bal] being sufliciently large so that it may act as a light mask, a source of light, and an object having transparent image areas between the light source and one face of the plate and light being transmitted from said one face to the opposite face solely through said halls.

4. In an illuminatedscreen, a pair of spaced parallel rigid plates,,each plate being opaque and provided With a plurality of apertures arranged in vertical, horizontal and diagonal alignment, a transparent light concentration element cf relatively small size positioned in registration between each pair of opposed apertures of said plates, the opaque area which surrounds the exposed surface of each element being suificiently large to act as a light mask, means operatively associated with said plates for compressing said elements between said plates whereby light can pass from one face of the sign to the opposite face solely through said elements, a source of light, 2. film adjacent one plate face, the film having light transmitting areas, and said elements being spherical. 

